A REPORT on the progress of the new Meadowpark facility for children with autism at Knox Academy, Haddington, led to a debate on the merits of mainstream education for children with additional learning needs.

East Lothian Council’s education committee was told the new facility opened at the start of this term with six pupils and a capacity in the future for up to 30 young people.

The report said the costs for the centre were expected to go over budget by £250,000 because of unforeseen maintenance issues involving asbestos work and that “limited work” had been undertaken to provide a safe outdoor space for pupils with further developments required.

However, the committee was reassured the facility did offer its pupils one secure outdoor area which had been covered with good-quality artificial turf.

Councillor Fraser McAllister, Musselburgh West ward member, questioned the council’s approach to education for children with autism, citing a recent incident he had witnessed where pupils had been disruptive in a classroom.

East Lothian Council has a presumptive policy towards mainstream education which presumes children will attend there initially, before individual assessments are carried out.

Mr McAllister questioned whether this policy was in the best interests of all pupils attending mainstream education.

He said: “I can see the cost benefits in integrating everybody in one school and one class but I do not think there is always a learning benefit for children who have special needs. I suffer from dyslexia, as does one of my sons, and there are different levels of it, like autism, but there are some non-remedial and at the higher end in the autism spectrum that may not be compatible in the mainstream.

“Of course, there are other conditions and I am not suggesting there are special units for everyone with some kind of handicap, be it physical, mental or social. I just think the presumptive response is not always the best way forward for every child.”

Mr McAllister’s comments were dismissed by council leader Councillor Willie Innes (pictured below), who said it was the right of every child to have an opportunity to attend mainstream schools.

East Lothian Courier: Council leader Willie Innes

And he pointed to his own school experiences as an example of how times have changed.

He said: “The fact is children should have the opportunity to experience a normal life and we have special provisions for those, if it is appropriate, to attend these units.

“The presumption must be that we treat all children the same in the first instance and give them a chance.

“When I was at school I did not see any children with disability and I am pretty uncomfortable around people with disability because I did not grow up around them.

“My children are far more comfortable because they had that opportunity.”